FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Before Jalen Hurts spoke, before a traveling press corps peppered the quarterback with questions about the first-team offense’s debut against an opposing defense, the surprise of the day held a surprising availability.
Cooper DeJean approached, the rookie’s first time in padded pants, sporting a smile and a team-issued baseball cap.
“It felt great to be out there,” DeJean said.
No, the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t yet cleared their second-round pick for full-contact drills. DeJean only participated in individual drills. He only chopped forward, backward, and exploded laterally. He only backpedaled and tracked down long passes. But Tuesday’s joint practice against the New England Patriots was the first time DeJean saw any training camp action at all. The versatile defensive back injured his hamstring while working out back at Iowa during the offseason, a setback that sidelined DeJean for 11 practices and last week’s preseason game in Baltimore.
That DeJean even dressed out represented a significant development. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is still sorting out his best combination in the secondary, and DeJean’s impending return adds another option as the Aug. 27 cutdown day looms. Since the Eagles activated DeJean from the non-football injury list, it’s also no longer likely that they’ll temporarily spare an extra roster spot by stashing the rookie with a “designated to return status.” Teams can carry two players with such a designation through cut day.
DeJean also said it’s “realistic” to expect he’ll play in the Eagles’ third and final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 24, although that decision will be ultimately made in tandem with the organization. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said DeJean has been “progressing nicely” through the rehab process. The rookie watched the first 10 practices from the sideline, and, on Sunday, started working out on a separate field. Sirianni said Tuesday was a test to see how DeJean felt during individual drills before taking the next step to team drills. DeJean simply said he felt “good.”
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“You don’t want to rush something like this,” DeJean said. “It’s a long season, but rehab has been going well.”
DeJean’s return could assist a fellow rookie. Quinyon Mitchell, the No. 22 pick, has been learning both outside cornerback and nickel safety — two “drastically different” positions, according to Fangio — and DeJean’s availability could afford Mitchell the opportunity to focus on one position, which Fangio said would be “ideal.” But this, of course, depends on whether (and how soon) DeJean proves he’s a fit in a “best-possible” secondary.
Mitchell, who rarely played slot at Toledo, is best suited on the outside. DeJean played 19 percent of his snaps in the slot as a junior at Iowa, according to Pro Football Focus. His 6-1, 207-pound frame and proficiency for tackling also suggest that he’d appropriately handle a nickel’s responsibilities against the run. If DeJean proves he’s the team’s primary nickel, it’s also worth considering where Isaiah Rodgers and Avonte Maddox fit on the depth chart. Rodgers has been the first-team outside corner opposite Darius Slay, and Maddox has alternated between nickel and safety since Mitchell’s ascension to first-team slot.
But how ready is DeJean? He’s yet to log a legitimate defensive snap. He focused on nickel and outside cornerback during OTAs, and, since his injury, he’s relied upon mental reps and the counsel of his coaches and mentors. Still, DeJean is confident he can acclimate himself quickly once he returns to the field.
“Most of the stuff, we installed in the spring,” DeJean. “I feel like I know most of the defense. It’s just a matter of getting out there and getting those reps and getting my feet back moving again against other guys.”
Hurts hurts the Pats
It’s unlikely Hurts sees a snap in any preseason game. It’s unlikely any of the most tenured starters will. It’s why Tuesday’s joint practice was perhaps one of the most critical practices for a revamped Eagles offense that must find a rhythm before the regular season begins on Sept. 6.
Newly hired offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s influx of pre-snap motions and checks were more at play against the Patriots, as expected. New England’s defense presented Philadelphia with plenty of tricky looks. During two-minute drills, linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Matthew Judon roamed from gap to gap, trying to find weak links along the offensive line. The offense’s new built-in motions and checks yielded mixed results.
Hurts’ ball placement was impressive. He went 5-of-6 passing in the first series of seven-on-seven drills, unfurling a deep touchdown to DeVonta Smith along the left sideline with Marco Wilson giving chase. Hurts, in team red zone drills, struck Saquon Barkley in stride on a wheel-route score against Judon. Later, in team drills, Hurts laced a deep crosser to A.J. Brown by placing the ball deep along the right sideline.
Hurts also threw fearlessly. He zipped a slant to Brown in tight coverage in team drills. Brown caught the pass despite the collision.
“He did really well today,” Brown said.
Some kinks need to be worked out against an opposing pass rush. In the first series of team drills, the offensive front collapsed, but offered Hurts a lane; he took off. He was sacked twice later. After the second, Hurts trotted out and spoke with wide receiver John Ross. Moore has often stated that he foremost wants a clean operation on offense. Likely without any other preseason reps, the first-team offense must for now rely on looks against their own.
“We love practicing against teams right now,” right tackle Lane Johnson said. “So after you go there for a series, okay, how are you gonna adjust to what they’re doing? So that’s the first time we kind of really get to do that.”
Johnson, a two-time All-Pro, noticed how the pre-snap motions assisted with their pass protection.
“Yeah, I mean, anytime you can get guys to think and slow them down to where they’re not dead beat on a play, it definitely helps,” Johnson said. “So yeah, I mean, I got to watch it a long time whenever Kellen was at Dallas. So, I saw it. But yeah, I mean, lots of, you saw three quick slants. Get it to A.J., get open, take what they give you, and go on. I think we did a good job of mixing in run and pass today.”
Backup Kenny Pickett revealed an improved touch on deep balls, too. He connected with John Ross on a long throw during seven-on-seven drills. Pickett also connected with tight end E.J. Jenkins on a corner touch touchdown with safety Jaylinn Hawkins in pursuit. This was a promising development considering Pickett struggled when pushing the ball downfield against the Ravens last week.
Tanner McKee logged snaps with the second-team offense. He overshot a receiver on his first attempt but completed his next two passes — one that hit Ainias Smith in stride before Smith ran out of bounds.
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Surprise on defense
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. snagged the only interception of the day. Jacoby Brissett, leading the first-team Patriots offense, tried to throw a slant across the middle, and Trotter jumped the route. It was a promising play at a position of need. The Eagles have consistently cycled Devin White, Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean through the first-team defense throughout training camp, but Trotter’s recent play has warranted extra time with the ones.
“You know, what? He works hard,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “One thing I will say, that hammer’s for real. That celebration? I see him every day. This boy comes to work.”
Trotter, who tied the team lead with five tackles as a backup against the Ravens, saw snaps with the first-team defense on Tuesday. Running back Kevin Harris got past Trotter for a catch during the first series of team drills.
It appears the Eagles still prefer Baun and White. Baun logged a would-be sack on a blitz and swatted a pass incomplete on consecutive plays during team drills. Dean, who has at times struggled in pass coverage, dislodged a pass from tight end Austin Hooper in the end zone during the second round of team drills.
More coverage notes…
• CB Quinyon Michell: The rookie played first-team nickel and second-team cornerback on Tuesday. DeMario Douglas got past Mitchell on a deep cross in one-on-one drills, but after a discussion with a coach, Mitchell stuck with tight end Jaheim Bell on another deep cross and jarred the ball loose.
• S James Bradberry: He was flagged for holding tight end Mitchell Wilcox during individual drills, and Wilcox still caught a touchdown. But Fangio said Bradberry has been “doing pretty damn good” in his new position. Bradberry stepped up on made a solid collision on a run play during the first series of team drills.
• CB Kelee Ringo: Every catch against him seems highly contested. Ringo was flagged for holding against Ja’Lynn Polk in one-on-one drills.
• S Avonte Maddox: Hooper got past Maddox for a touchdown in the middle of the end zone during the second round of team drills.
Stock rising on Darian Kinnard within o-line depth
Mekhi Becton started at right guard against the Ravens. He was the first right guard out again during joint practices against the Patriots. It appears like the job is now Becton’s to lose. Tyler Steen, who began the summer as the first-team right guard, spent the day with the second-team offense.
The second-team offensive line is also solidifying. The lineup has been stable since last week: LT Fred Johnson, LG Trevor Keegan, C Brett Toth, RG Steen, RT Darian Kinnard. As they all jockey for roster spots, Kinnard has been an intriguing player to watch. A 2022 fifth-round pick by the Chiefs, a subject of three trades, Kinnard has logged only six snaps on special teams in his career. But he’s captured the Eagles’ interest. He played every snap at right tackle against the Ravens. On Tuesday, Kinnard pancaked Patriots defensive end Keion White during the first series of 11-on-11 drills.
“Really made a step up this past week,” Johnson said of Kinnard. “He’s played primarily guard, I think, in the league, was a tackle at Kentucky. But after a couple of practices, I got in his ear. I was like, ‘Hey, man, take one kick and settle (into your stance).’ He’s so big and athletic. Really turned it on. So if there’s a guy whose name is increasingly rising, it’s D.K.”
Extra from Day 12 of training camp in New England
• A little chippy: A spirited swarm of players formed after Isaiah Rodgers got rocked on a kickoff return. The teams agreed beforehand that there’d be full contact permitted, but players weren’t to be taken to the ground. The Eagles apparently still took umbrage that Rodgers was struck so hard. After the next kickoff, a mass of players huddled near the ball. Players from both teams hustled in, like bullpens clearing. It wasn’t all that aggressive, just a lot of attention that was swiftly separated.
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson still sidelined: The projected starting safety has missed four practices and last week’s preseason game since sustaining a shoulder injury. “We’re not expecting anything real long term,” Sirianni said. But the coach wouldn’t “put any expectations on when he gets back.”
• A third Christmas special? A local reporter from Boston, asking Lane Johnson about missing Jason Kelce, threw in an extra question about whether their singing trio with Jordan Mailata would produce another album this year. “Yeah, yeah,” Johnson said. “So, we worked on it. And yeah, hopefully we’ll have something done pretty soon for this year.”
• “Sacks” on whistle-protected QBs: Jalen Carter (1), Nolan Smith (1), Bryce Huff (1).
• Notable d-line stop: Defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu wrapped up a Patriots running back on a goal-line stop during a team drill. The Eagles will keep at least five defensive tackles. Tuipulotu is positioning himself for a spot on the roster.
(Top photo of Cooper DeJean: AP Photo / Matt Rourke)
